Meet the Specialists of Suncoast Eye Center
Our Mission
At Suncoast Eye Center
, specialists
from the Department of Ophthalmology
provide the full range of clinical services
to adults. This includes cataract diagnosis and treatment, eyelid and glaucoma surgery.
We have been providing outstanding eye care services to the residents of Florida since 1982. Our reputation is unsurpassed in both regular eye care services and surgical procedures.
Suncoast Eye Center provides comprehensive services to help you treat and take care of your sight. Whether you need highly specialized surgery or simply a first pair of glasses, you can get the very best ophthalmic care.
We are committed to providing all of our services in a compassionate, supportive environment. Suncoast Eye Center offers a variety of patient support services, including educational materials and programs.
Meet the Doctors
Dr. Michael Manning is a Board-Certified Ophthalmologist and owner of Suncoast Eye Center and the Eye Surgery Institute. He joined the practice in 2015 and recently assumed ownership, continuing its longstanding commitment to excellence in eye care and surgical precision. Dr. Manning proudly serves patients in Hudson, Crystal River, and throughout Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Dr. Manning specializes in advanced cataract surgery, refractive surgery, eyelid surgery, and the medical and surgical management of glaucoma. He is dedicated to helping patients restore and preserve their vision using state-of-the-art technology and individualized treatment plans. His patient-centered approach ensures that each individual receives compassionate care tailored to their specific visual needs.
In addition to his clinical expertise, Dr. Manning has contributed academically to the field of ophthalmology. He co-authored publications in Albert & Jakobiec’s Principles & Practice of Ophthalmology (3rd Edition), described by The Journal of the American Medical Association as “the current standard in comprehensive ophthalmology textbooks.”
Education
Dr. Manning earned his Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry through the distinguished Honors Degree Program at Rollins College. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of South Florida College of Medicine, where he also completed his Internal Medicine Internship. He completed his Ophthalmology Residency at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and was selected to serve as Chief Resident.
Dr. Alan M. Freedman is a Board-Certified Ophthalmologist who has been a foundational part of Suncoast Eye Center since 1985. While he is no longer performing surgical procedures, Dr. Freedman continues to provide comprehensive ophthalmic care and remains dedicated to serving the community he has cared for over decades.
Dr. Freedman is widely recognized for his expertise in cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation. He is distinguished as one of the few fellowship-trained cataract specialists on Florida’s West Coast, bringing advanced training and decades of experience to the practice.
Education & Training
Dr. Freedman earned his medical degree from New York Medical College in Valhalla, New York. He completed three years of Ophthalmology residency training at Nassau County Medical Center, Clinical Campus of the State University of New York at Stony Brook, in East Meadow, New York (1975–1978).
He went on to complete specialized Fellowship training in Phacoemulsification, Intraocular Lens Implantation, and Anterior Segment Surgery at Mary Shiels Hospital in Dallas, Texas, under the mentorship of William S. Harris, M.D.
Prior to joining Suncoast Eye Center, Dr. Freedman practiced in the Tampa Bay area. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology and a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Residency in Ophthalmology:
Nassau County Medical Center Clinical Campus (1975-1978)
State University of New York at Stonybrook, East Meadow, New York
Dr. Kohlhepp
Dr. Marguerite Kohlhepp
Dr. Marguerite Kohlhepp is a Board-Certified, Fellowship-Trained Ophthalmologist specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of retinal diseases. As a vitreo-retinal specialist, she focuses on preserving and restoring vision through advanced medical and surgical management of complex retinal conditions.
Her areas of expertise include age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachments, macular holes, retinal vascular occlusions, and other diseases affecting the retina and vitreous. Dr. Kohlhepp utilizes the latest evidence-based therapies, including intravitreal injections and advanced retinal procedures, to provide personalized care tailored to each patient’s condition.
Education & Training
Dr. Kohlhepp earned her medical degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. She completed her Internship at Winthrop University Hospital in New York and her Ophthalmology Residency at Yeshiva University, an affiliate of Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York.
She then pursued advanced subspecialty training through a Fellowship in Vitreo-Retinal Surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.
Dr. Kohlhepp is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Medical Association, and the Pasco County Medical Society.
Dr. Creekmore is a Board-Certified Ophthalmologist dedicated to providing comprehensive, patient-centered eye care. She believes that appreciating the interconnected nature of body, mind, and spirit is integral to achieving the best outcomes for her patients.
Dr. Creekmore performs advanced cataract surgery utilizing modern intraocular lens technology to help patients restore clear, functional vision. In addition to cataract surgery, she has extensive experience in eyelid procedures, including functional and cosmetic eyelid surgery. She evaluates and treats conditions such as drooping eyelids (ptosis), excess upper eyelid skin (dermatochalasis), eyelid lesions, and other periocular concerns that can affect both vision and appearance.
She earned her Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Bradenton, Florida. Dr. Creekmore completed her Ophthalmology Residency at Valley Health System in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she was selected to serve as Chief Resident.
Dr. Creekmore is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Osteopathic Colleges of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, and the American Osteopathic Association.
Victoria Colasurdo Tarbutton, O.D.
Victoria Colasurdo Tarbutton, O.D. is a board-certified optometrist specializing in a wide range of eye care services, including comprehensive eye exams, contact lens fittings, and the management of ocular diseases such as dry eye, glaucoma and macular degeneration. She is dedicated to staying updated on the latest advancements in optometry to provide cutting-edge and personalized care.
Education
Victoria Tarbutton earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from Illinois College of Optometry and has been practicing optometry since 2014. Her externship rotations took place at the Chicago Public Schools Eye Clinic, Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind, Mid-Florida Eye Center and the Newington VA Hospital in Connecticut. Prior to joining Suncoast Eye Center, she has been practicing optometry in Wesley Chapel, Florida.